Sheila Wray Gregoire

Saturday, 10 June 2017

To Prince Edward Island

A woman, facing the camera, holds a pair of binoculars as she heads To Prince Edward Island aboard a ferry. A lifeboat hangs behind her. Other than a string of puffy clouds above the horizon, the sky is a clear blue.

While many of Colville's paintings exhibit some degree of anxiety or tension, To Prince Edward Island has a serenity about it. It is no surprise that the painting remains one of Colville's most loved works. And Prince Edward Island remains one of the most popular destinations for both Canadians and foreigners. Its red sand beaches, lobster dinners and friendly charm are irresistible. A visit to Prince Edward Island, I imagine, takes one back to a simpler time. The pace is slower and the people are friendlier. Painted in 1965, on the heals of the Cuban Missile Crisis (perhaps the purpose of the binoculars trained on the viewer) such a painting would be a welcome respite from the Cold War angst.